New figures from the Vermont Health Department show the deadly impact opiate overdoses continue having in the state.

New figures from the Vermont Health Department show the deadly impact opiate overdoses continue having in the state.

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Updated: 10:06 AM EST Mar 8, 2016

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WEBVTT JACK THURSTON HAS MORE.>> IT TOUGH TO WATCH, A MAN ON APUBLIC BUS OUTSIDE PHILADELPHIAINJECTING HEROINE.HE COLLAPSES.POLICE RUSHED TO HIS AID USINGTHE OVERDOSE REVERSAL DRUG NARCAN TO REVIVE HIM AND THE MANWALKS OFF THE BUS ON HIS OWN.ACROSS VERMONT, IT HAS BEENWIDELY EMPLOYED TO LOVED ONES OFDRUG USERS, EMTS, OTHERS, AND ISCREDITED WITH LIFE-SAVING ODREVERSAL.NEW FIGURES FROM THE VERMONTHEALTH DEPARTMENT SHOW THETRAGIC TOLL OPIATES CONTINUEHAVING HERE.IN 2015, THE STATE TALLIED 34ACCIDENTAL DEATH INVOLVINGHEROIN.THE POTENT OPIATE PAINKILLERFENTANYL WAS INVOLVED IN 29DEATHS AND INCREASED FROM THEYEAR BEFORE.THE BURLINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENTHAS BEEN CARRYING THE OVERDOSEREVERSAL DRUG SINCE THEBEGINNING OF THE YEAR.FEBRUA 25, THEY HAD THEIRFIRST USE.HE HAD NO PULSE WHEN OFFICERSARRIVED BUT THE OVERDOSEREVERSAL TREATMENT WORKS.>> HE HAD NO BUSINESS BEINGBEHIND THE CAR BUT WE WOULDRATHER HAVE A LIVING PERSON THENSOMEONE DEAD BY VIRTUE OF ANOVERDOSE.>> AS THE STATE CONTINUESWORKING TO BRING DOWN ITS

Health dept. releases Vermont fatal overdose numbers

New figures from the Vermont Health Department show the deadly impact opiate overdoses continue having in the state.